A seventh-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2014, Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the league.

Sam’s time in the NFL did not last for long, though, as the Rams released the defensive end in their final cuts before solidifying their 53-man roster.

Since then, Sam caught on with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, but was waived after a little more than a month’s time.

He has also participated in the inaugural NFL Veteran Combine, and after failing to get picked up by another team, he signed a two-year contract with the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes.

Sam’s struggles to make an NFL roster come after a storied collegiate career in Columbia, Mo., where in 2013 he registered 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss en route to being named a First-Team All-SEC selection and the co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year along with former Alabama standout C.J. Mosley.

While Sam’s return to the NFL seems to be a long and daunting task, it’s encouraging to see the SEC alum continue to fight for his future in football.